⚡ Quick Fix – Top 3 Steps

If your Whirlpool Washer is showing error LOC (or LC or CL on some models), the control lock feature is active and the control panel is locked. In most cases, Whirlpool Washer LOC is not a fault — it is a status indicator showing that the button lock has been engaged, either intentionally or accidentally. Unlocking the controls is the fix.

1. Press and hold the Control Lock button for 3 seconds. On most Whirlpool Washers, pressing and holding the button labeled “Control Lock,” “Lock Controls,” or a padlock icon for 3 seconds toggles the control lock off. The LOC indicator will turn off when the lock is successfully deactivated.
2. Check your model’s specific unlock procedure. On some Whirlpool Washer models, the control lock is released by pressing and holding two specific buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds. Common combinations include “Rinse” + “Spin” or “End of Cycle Signal” + another button. Check the label on your control panel or consult your owner’s manual for the exact procedure.
3. Power cycle the washer if the control panel is unresponsive. Unplug the washer for 5 minutes, then restore power. In rare cases, a software glitch causes the control lock to engage and fail to respond to the normal unlock procedure. A power reset can clear this fault.

What Does Whirlpool Washer Error LOC Mean?

Whirlpool Washer LOC (also displayed as LC, CL, or a padlock symbol on some models) means the control lock is activated. The control lock feature is designed to prevent accidental cycle changes — it is commonly used when children are present or during the cycle to prevent interruption. When LOC is active, all buttons except the Power button are locked out.

LOC is not a malfunction unless the control lock cannot be turned off using the standard procedure, which would indicate a button fault or a control board issue rather than a true LOC error.

Common Causes of Whirlpool Washer LOC

• Accidental activation: The control lock button was pressed accidentally — often by a child or by leaning against the machine. This is the most common reason LOC appears unexpectedly on Whirlpool Washers.
• End-of-cycle auto-lock: Some Whirlpool Washer models are programmed to engage the control lock automatically after a cycle completes as a child-safety feature. Check your model’s settings to see if this feature can be disabled.
• Stuck control lock button: If the button used to activate/deactivate the control lock is physically stuck in the depressed position, the lock may engage and cannot be turned off. This is a hardware fault rather than a normal LOC condition.
• Control board glitch: In rare cases, a software error in the main control board causes the control lock to activate and become unresponsive to the unlock command.

How to Fix LOC on Whirlpool Washer (Step-by-Step)

1. Locate the Control Lock button or combination on your model.
   Look at your washer’s control panel for a button labeled “Control Lock,” “Loc,” or a padlock icon. On models without a dedicated button, the lock function is shared with another button and typically labeled below the button in small print.
2. Press and hold the Control Lock button for 3 seconds.
   Hold the button without releasing for a full 3 seconds. You should hear a beep or see the LOC indicator go out when the lock is successfully deactivated.
3. Try the alternate unlock combination if the dedicated button does not work.
   Some Whirlpool Washer models use a two-button hold combination. Common combinations include holding “Rinse” + “Spin,” “Delay Wash” + “Extra Rinse,” or “Soil Level” + “Temperature” for 3 seconds. Consult the owner’s manual for your specific model.
4. Power cycle if the panel remains locked.
   Unplug the washer for 5 minutes, then restore power. After the power-on sequence, try the unlock procedure again before attempting any cycle.
5. Inspect the control lock button for physical damage.
   If the LOC keeps reappearing immediately after unlocking, the control lock button may be stuck or damaged. Test all buttons by pressing each one — a stuck button (one that does not spring back) could be continuously activating the lock.

Advanced Fixes (If LOC Cannot Be Cleared)

If the control lock cannot be deactivated after a power reset and the correct unlock procedure, the user interface (UI) board may be malfunctioning. A faulty UI board can send a continuous lock signal to the main control board. In this case, inspect the UI board for damage and consider replacement. A certified Whirlpool technician can also perform a board-level diagnostic to confirm the fault source.

Recommended Tools or Parts

No tools or parts are required in most LOC cases — the fix is simply pressing the correct button combination. If the UI board is the hardware fault, a replacement user interface board matched to your Whirlpool Washer model is the repair part needed.

Getting Your Whirlpool Washer Back Up and Running

Whirlpool Washer LOC is almost always resolved by pressing and holding the Control Lock button for 3 seconds. If that does not work, a power reset and the model-specific unlock combination will fix it in the vast majority of cases. For more Whirlpool Washer error codes, see the Whirlpool Washer Error Codes complete guide.

🔧 Still Not Fixed?

Try these related Whirlpool Washer error guides: F2E1 Stuck Key/UI Fault | F5E1 Lid Switch Fault | All Whirlpool Washer Errors